A Train Ride through Rajasthan, India

This post is part of our summer 2018 blOAAg series, Summer Sketches: Capturing the Essence of Architectural Ideas.

Sketching as a means of recording a place is a meaningful way to engage in foreign surroundings. Part of a series of drawings done while taking the train through Rajasthan, India, these sketches mark memorable events on many of our stops. The time required stretches out these moments creating openings for unique occurrences and spontaneous interactions. As an architect, setting aside time to observe and reflect on the spaces we engage with is an important aspect of visiting somewhere new.

The town of Bundi, the abandoned fort looms in the distance.Drawn from the side of the only highway, it doubles as the town promenade - a result of the tightly packed urban fabric.

Chittorgarh is the largest fort complex in all of India, looking towards the main fortification, this reservoir doubles as a swimming hole.

A view of Johdpur's significant fort Mehrangarh from the old town.

The town of Pushkar fully surrounds this holy lake, a series of Ghats recede from the shoreline.

Left: A series of Cenotaphs outside Jaisalmer forming part of a much larger complex. A unique contrast to the wind towers beyond.Right: The town of Pushkar from a shrine overlooking the area.